Aboriginal art fraud

nativeson · Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 11

Greetings from half way around the globe.
We in North America are about to enter into a very complex and serious debate concerning the works of a First Nations artist of great importance, and the topic of art forgery. Twisted Evil

I would be very intrested in how this type of crime is viewed down your way? what is the public feeling in regards to the art fraud surrounding your most famous aboriginal artist?.
How big a problem is this, and how have the Australian Authorities dealt with this?
I hope this will get a good discussion going as this seems to be an issue globally.

Thank you.
NS

Stefan Maguran · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:34 am Post subject: Re - Aboriginal art fraud

There was a documentary not so long ago - you may still be able to access it - I have a link to the doco on my blog here:
http://artofcollectingart.blogspot.com/2009/06/fake-four-corners.html
It may be of some assistance.

Dug · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 4837 Location: Gippsland

Is this a question of copying an artwork or a style of painting ?

It is a difficult question if you are speaking about a style of art as any artist can create works in any style they like.

Copying a specific image is another thing altogether.

If an Aboriginal artist wishes to paint in an impressionist style is there any problem with that ?

If a European artist wants to use a series of dots in a painting is there a problem there ?

nativeson · Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 11

I Love the Zappa quote.
There is a great aboriginal artist in Canada named Norval Morrisseau.
If I understand the whole situation correctly, and it is a situation in which some allege that his body of authentic works is dwarfed by the volume of fakes?
I'm having a hard time trying to get my head around how large this issue really is.
I find the following site to be of great intrest.
www.morrisseau.com
This site appears to be run by an apprentice of the late Norval Morrissea and has publicly identified the forgers and the forged works.
Also check
www.morrisseaubuyersbeware.com
http://web.me.com/jonathan.browne/Site/Norval_Morrisseau_Study.html
This site has a great side by side comparison of the real vs fake
Do you have any similar issue in Austrailia?
Thank you all for posting.

Dug · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 4837 Location: Gippsland

I think the problem ( for me anyway ) would be a an artist pretending to be of a different race to make a profit from that style of work.

If a say a European or Asian artist wishes to use the style of indigenous artists than that is fine ( by me ) if they pretend to be of that group to increase sales or price then that is a problem.

Forgery of any artwork by anyone of any race creed or colour is theft and should be dealt with by the laws !

Stardreamer · Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 1

Esssentially it is theft - identity theft. In Canada this ongoing issue involves thousands of inferior counterfeit Norval Morrisseau artworks and is both a criminal and a civil issue.

Norval is arguably Canada's most popular and famous fine artist. The shoddy quality of many forgeries threatens to undermine his artistic legacy. Morrisseau died in 2007 and was the Grand Shaman of North America's Aboriginal First Nation's people.

It is my understanding that famous Australian Aboriginal artist identities have been used to fatten the bank accounts of art distributors there, who have turned a blind eye to questionable provenance because there is money to be made. Is this true?

I just wonder what Australia does with discredited Aboriginal art once discovered. Is it taken off the market, then destroyed? Its what one does with a counterfeit credit card or counterfeit cash. Morrisseau wanted the fakes destroyed however many people have paid top dollar for them. Do they just give them up and accept their losses? Do they sue galleries for refunds? What happens to forgers when charged with forgery in Australia?

>>>>>>> Stardreamer

belle · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: Newcastle

It is an enormous problem in Australia with people annexing Aboriginal work without permission for T shirt, tea towels and yes... wait for it... our bank notes! Fortunately the problem is being addressed and most people are aware of copyright issues.

There has been a lot of exploitation of Aboriginal artists over the years. The boom in the popularity of Aboriginal work meant they were encouraged to produce a lot of work regardless of quality, paid almost nothing and the works onsold at exorbitant prices.

That being said, some of the finest works in Australia are done by Aboriginal artists and a lot is being done to avoid exploitation.

There are difficulties about style. It is common for artists to teach their style to the younger generation. This is totally legitimate and part of their culture so there are a lot of works out there in the style of a major artist which are genuine.

I agree with Dug that anyone can paint in a style (we taught dot painting and symbol making when I was a teacher) but it would be wrong to identify yourself as an aborigine. An aborigine once told me he didn't have to be taught because "we all know how to do art". My concern is that a lot of poor art is made and sells because it is made by an aborigine.

It is interesting to note that the question of royalties for resale of works was virtually ignored until it was realised that Aborigines were missing out on large sums as their work changes hands. Of course this problem applies to us all and it would be wonderful if it was addressed.

nativeson · Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 11

Thank you all for participating. Could someone post details or links to cases in Australia? Art forgery in general, Aboriginal specifically.
Regardless of who is doing the forgery? (Native or not)

Thank you NS

nativeson · Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 11

Thank You all for visiting this important topic.
Here is yet another site which provides a unique perspective on this issue regarding Mr Morrisseau, the Canadian artist.
http://rainbowthunderbird.blogspot.com/ Laughing

Ravenari · Joined: 14 Mar 2009 Posts: 25 Location: Perth

Nativeson,

You might want to contact the West Australian Detectives, and ask them specifically for cases and law relating to the now defunct Special Commodities Division - which dealt specifically in pearl and diamond theft, fossil theft and forgery, and art theft and forgery.

They were doing some seriously amazing, globally ground-breaking work in the area of Indigenous art theft, philosophy and law before they were shut down due to lack of funding.

It even included the development of a program to actually forensically test the ochres in different paintings, and using them to 'identify' authentic Indigenous artists (as in Indigenous Australia, different groups and elders have access to different ochres).

nativeson · Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 11

Thank you all for posting here. I decided to return to this site as new updates in Canada warrant such an update. I have recently returned from a venture,a journey of sorts during which time I spoke to many in the know regarding this matter. It would appear that news will be available to the masses soon regarding what is being described as Canada's largest art fraud by many. I don't know how it will all play out but the story will be dramatic.
In the meantime, those with interest should visit the following sites to gain some background.

www.morrisseau.com (about 1000 examples of questionable works)
rainbowthunderbird (search under blogs)

stay tuned in the media for the arrests of many. Laughing

Stephen · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:59 pm Post subject: Re - Aboriginal art fraud

Hi
I have been dealing with this for a very long time and have been involved in cases of fruad etc.
I have been working with the ACCC in regards to this.
If you want more info please email me, i dont have much time to visit this forum anymore which is a shame because there are great people and artists on here.

Visit my link you will find my email there

Steve

nativeson · Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 11

I just found this post, a guy actually ruins a destroys a fake in the media.

http://rainbowthunderbird.blogspot.com/2010/01/truthful-destruction-of-fake-now-making.html

you have to see this.

Laughing

Fester · Joined: 17 Feb 2010 Posts: 2

wicked stuff mate.It never amazes me what some people will fake,steal,copy or out right rip off. I'm sure you are aware that art is always a fave target.
My mate Jack has a small gallery near the Canadian border on the US side, he tells me about this Norvel artist and the scandal going on, same with MickyRic in New York. . MR tells me a Norvel painting sold in NY last year is also under investigation by the USDOJ is how I understand it, don't know about the other stuff. the painting sold at auction for about 12000 USD? I wonder if the Canadian law is as tough as the US? if the painting is a fake the the US may want to have a look at these guys too?
Head high mate, it always works out sooner or later? I think.
great youtube vids on this.
Cheers. Laughing

outofthebox · Joined: 17 Feb 2010 Posts: 9 Location: Western Australia

It is a huge problem because for many Aboriginal people art is the only source of income, particularly living in remote communities where people have little access to other opportunities such as employment and education.

Fake art undermines the value of the work of Aboriginal artists as well as ripping off the people who buy it. And thats not good for anyone.

You can find out more about the legal aspects of Aboriginal art here
http://www.artslaw.com.au/legalinformation/Indigenous/default.asp

Ive recently sought advice from them myself and they are very knowledgeable. Hope that link is helpful.